Sussex Village of the Year 2006/2007 - South England Village of the Year for Information and Communication Technology 2006/2007
HERSTMONCEUX PARISH East Sussex, England local news The present Webmaster of the Herstmonceux Parish Council webpages is moving from the Parish. If you'd like to become the new Webmaster, CLICK HERE to contact the Parish Clerk  - or CLICK HERE to discuss it with the present Webmaster.
SAFETY & PROBLEMS Herstmonceux Parish LOCAL ACTION TEAM (LAT) "to reduce crime and disorder" Interim Anti Social Behaviour Order on Daniel Clarke THE SAFER WEALDEN PARTNERSHIP join the free community contact scheme, receive news bulletins & community safety messages CLICK HERE to report a problem in your area to East Sussex County Council PARISH COUNCIL NEWS click on underlined words for details or to go to other pages or scroll down to see all the contents Parish Council BULLETIN for May 2008 news from the most recent Parish Council meeting PLANNING APPLICATIONS to be discussed at the next PLANNING COMMITTEE OR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 2008 Parish Council NEWSLETTER Parish Councillor vacancy January 2008 Parish Council news from recent months HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCIL councillors & committees SCHEDULE of Parish Council MEETINGS in 2008 recent Parish Council AGENDAS & MINUTES . calendar of forthcoming local events images from ArtsHut's  Angels of the Village Christmas 2007 local weather weather news - local weather forecast last month's weather   return to the Parish Council  WEBPAGES INDEX other websites in Herstmonceux Parish with news or links to local news Herstmonceux village Cowbeech village Herstmonceux societies Herstmonceux Village Information Centre Herstmonceux Neighbourhood Watch Herstmonceux Village Information Centre is looking for a Volunteer Manager to replace Ketill (Kit) Game from 1 April 2008. If you'd like to discuss filling this valuable role, please contact Moira Bowles,   Hon. Secretary of the VIC Trustees, either by telephoning 833641 or by email. read and contribute to a local forum for messages
HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCIL MAY BULLETIN also issued in hardcopy with the May 2008 Church of England Herstmonceux & Wartling Parish News and available at the Village Information Centre, The Old Forge, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux Details of planning applications considered by the Parish Council [in April 2008]. Application Applicant: Mr and Mrs Lee Location: Butlers Cottage, Butlers Lane, Herstmonceux. Description: Demolition of existing dilapidated dwelling and the erection of new replacement two storey house with integral garage. Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: The Parish Council objects to this application. It wishes to make the following comments: Any development on the site should be only one storey. Any new dwelling on the site should remain as far as possible on the same footprint. Any extension to the footprint should be on the same side as the existing extension and built in the bank so that the roofline does not exceed the existing roofline. Any extension should be constructed if materials in keeping with the existing building. Application: WD/2008/0700/F Applicant: Mr and Mrs Cecil Location: Wallscroft, Bagham Lane, Herstmonceux.                                Description: Two storey side extension to north east elevation. Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: The Parish Council supports this application as it does not overlook the neighbouring property and there are no objections from the neighbours.   Application: WD/2008/0824/F – Councillor M Goodsell Declared a Prejudicial Interest and left the room whilst the application was discussed. He has business interests with the owner. Applicant: Mr A Beadle Location: Brow Cottage, Trolliloes, Cowbeech.                                       Description: First floor extension. Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: The parish Council supports this application: There is no enlargement of the footprint of the property. It is no higher than the existing property. It does not overlook any other property.   Application: WD/2008/0727/F Applicant: Mr C Reed Location: 1 Rocks Cottage, Windmill Hill.                                               Description: Conversion of existing single storey extension to two storey. Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: No objection.   Application: WD/2008/0844/F Applicant: Mr P Baldwin Location: Fairlawns, Stunts Green, Herstmonceux.                                 Description: Two storey rear extension. Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: The Council objects: It is out of character with the neighbouring properties. The building is on a bank, and so the roofline of the proposed extension would be higher than the existing building. It would intrude into the landscape.   Planning Consents received from Wealden District Council 1.        WD/2008/0295/F Eastwood Farm, Chilsham Lane, Herstmonceux – tennis court in garden. 2.        WD/2007/2911/LBR Yew Tree Cottage, Lower Road, Herstmonceux – bathroom and kitchen. 3.        WD/2008/0096/F Foxwood, Cinderford Lane, Hellingly – two storey extension to front.   Planning Refusals received from Wealden District Council 1.      WD/2008/0243/F Willow Farm, Under Road, Herstmonceux – proposed extensions. Please let the Parish Clerk have copy for the next Parish Council Bulletin by 15 April 2008 Councillors and the Parish Clerk can be contacted at The Village Hall Hailsham Road Herstmonceux East Sussex BN27 4JX tel: 01323 833312 Fax: 01323 831854 e-mail: hxparishclerk@tiscali.co.uk Parish Council website www.herstmonceuxparish.org.uk CLICK HERE for the Parish Council page - members, officers, committees CLICK HERE for the Schedule of Parish Council Meetings in 2007 CLICK HERE for Parish Council Agendas & Minutes since April 2004
THE SAFER WEALDEN PARTNERSHIP Sussex Police writes: The Safer Wealden Partnership invites you to join the free community contact scheme. It provides a safe, efficient and speedy way of exchanging information between Sussex Police, our partners and the community. As it is two-way it allows members to respond quickly with information that could assist Sussex Police. All messages are sent out as blind copies, so members' e-mail addresses remain confidential. E-mail information is issued directly from a Police Co-ordinator to your computer.  You will receive news bulletins from Sussex Police The Sussex Police Authority East Sussex Trading Standards and community safety messages from The Safer Wealden Partnership Wealden District Council East Sussex County Council East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service To join, send an e-mail to: cc.registration@sussex.pnn.police.uk Please advise your postcode and a contact phone number.  Sponsors: Sussex Police Authority, ESFRS, ESDWPCT, WDC, ESCC. For an example of the kind of message you'll receive if you join, CLICK HERE to see the link on the Herstmonceux Neighbourhood Watch webpage.  [Webmaster]
LOCAL ACTION TEAM (LAT) In common with many other communities, Herstmonceux has suffered numerous incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour over the past few years, including repeated vandalism and nuisance behaviour. Two well-attended public meetings were hold by the police over the summer to address local concerns. One of the outcomes was an increased police presence in the village, including our PSCO holding “surgeries” in the Village Information Centre; another was the establishment of a Local Action Team (LAT). You may have seen the posters and leaflets it produced recently encouraging us all to report any information we have of crimes. The LAT is currently made up of Parish Councillors and representatives of the police force and local societies.  It meets monthly and is looking to identify, plan and deliver (or make sure someone else delivers!) action to reduce crime and disorder.  At the moment its focus is misbehaviour on the Recreation Ground. The LAT needs your help: not only in reporting crime but in making sure that it is responding to what the community thinks are the most important concerns.  If there is an area of crime reduction which you would like the LAT to consider, or if you want any further information abut the LAT, please contact the Secretary, Cllr Dave Gordon on 833749. Interim Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) - Daniel John Barry Clarke from Community Contact Wealden 22 February 2008 On October 29th 2007, the Safer Wealden Partnership were successful with an Interim ASBO application in respect of Daniel John Barry Clarke, 18 years, from Herstmonceux. The ASBO remains in force until October 2009, and was sought following a series of complaints about antisocial behaviour in the Herstmonceux area. The order prevents Mr. Clarke from entering Herstmonceux Recreation Ground, the Village Hall area, the car park to the Woolpack Public house, and the West End area, except to cross directly from The Ridgeway to James Avenue. He is also prohibited from being drunk in any public place within Herstmonceux. Mr. Clarke is also prevented from using foul, abusive, threatening, obscene or insulting language in any public place, or which can be heard from any public place within Herstmonceux; to incite or encourage others to damage property within Herstmonceux; from engaging in any conduct likely to cause alarm or distress to people in Herstmonceux, or encouraging other people to do so. South Wealden Inspector Claire Stephenson said, “This ASBO was obtained following a significant increase in the number of complaints from people within the Herstmonceux area, and as a result of our investigations, certain individuals were identified. Our work continues in Herstmonceux, with the assistance of the Parish Council and the Herstmonceux Local Action Team, and we will continue to take a robust stance against people who’s activities have an adverse effect on the quality of life of others. Daniel John Barry Clarke “We continue to monitor ASBO compliance, and any breaches will be investigated. I hope that this ASBO also serves as a warning to other people in the area who engage in such antisocial activity. We must not lose sight of the fact that the Wealden area is a very safe and pleasant place in which to live and it is just a tiny minority of people who try to spoil this. Myself and my team will actively target these people.”  see also Teenager slapped with ASBO Eastbourne Herald, 7 February 2008
IMAGES FROM ARTSHUT'S ANGELS OF THE VILLAGE (CHRISTMAS 2007)
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS FROM RECENT MONTHS click on underlined items for details HERSTMONCEUX: SOUTH ENGLAND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2006/2007 for information & communication technology HERSTMONCEUX VILLAGE INFORMATION CENTRE JUDGES VISIT FOR REGIONAL STAGE OF VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION THE HERSTMONCEUX REGISTER HERSTMONCEUX WINS SUSSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2006/2007 ALLOTMENTS EMERGENCY PLAN DOG FOULING ON THE RECREATION GROUND RECREATION GROUND BYELAWS HERSTMONCEUX IS SOUTH ENGLAND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2006/2007 for information and communication technology - "a great achievement" July 2007 (updated 5 August 2007) Herstmonceux won the South England region prize for Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the 2006/2007 Calor Village of the Year® competition ("Is your village vibrant, enterprising and caring? Does it make the most of local opportunities?"). There were six other English county ICT prize-wining villages from Kent to Oxfordshire in the South England regional competition. £500 in prize money comes with a certificate to the Parish Council. Herstmonceux now goes forward to the English national competition for ICT against the four other English regions' winners - Rayne, Essex; Allendale, Northumberland; Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire and Tarrington, Herefordshire. Read what the regional judges said about Herstmonceux: it was praised among other things for "taking full advantage of the benefits ICT can offer a village community. There is a range of purpose-built, community-managed websites that provide a variety of local area information, opportunities and internet links, the majority of which were created and are maintained free of charge by local residents. Local businesses and the local tourism industry also benefit from the village’s ICT activities, and there is no charge for inclusion on the parish council web pages." Rayne, Essex later became the overall national winner. Suzanne Weir, Calor Village of the Year manager, commented, "Our congratulations go to Herstmonceux for winning the ICT category award for South England. The Calor Village of the Year judges have seen some excellent examples of flourishing, vibrant and thriving village communities in the 2006/7 competition so to be successful in the competition is a great achievement." The Herstmonceux Village Information Centre offers PCs for use by residents and visitors, with broadband internet, email, printing, copying and laminating facilities. A course for older residents, taught by Jessica Cochrane, a school student working on her Prince of Edinburgh award, has just concluded at the Centre; courses in computing will be resumed in the Autumn. Herstmonceux earlier won the 2006/2007 Sussex Village of the Year competition, which has other categories as well as ICT: building community life, business, young people, older people and environment. Herstmonceux also won the Sussex award for building community life. The category winners in the South England regional competition were Building Community Life Filkins and Broughton Poggs, Oxfordshire Business Selborne, Hampshire Young People Brighstone, Isle of Wight Older People Lingfield, Surrey Environment Selborne, Hampshire Information & Communication Technology Herstmonceux, East Sussex HERSTMONCEUX VILLAGE INFORMATION CENTRE Sussex Police has made a grant of £1000 from the Police Property Act Fund to the Herstmonceux Village Information Centre, towards the work it does in the community. Pictured is Crime Prevention Officer David Smith awarding the grant cheque to Centre volunteer Mary Maynard. The grant comes on the heels of one made by the Merrie Harriers_Bonfire Society at its annual charity awards dinner. The Society grant was made to thank the Centre volunteer staff for its work. As part of a major refurbishment, which included Centre redecoration, the Centre's PCs and broadband internet connection are now available for both residents and visitors to use. There's also a colour printer-scanner, a photocopier and a laminator. You can prepare your own documents on a PC, or read and download pages from the World Wide Web, and print them out or send them attached to emails by webmail, etc. There are modest charges for the use of the PCs and for printing, copying and laminating. There is a Public Information Point (PiP) in the Centre, from which one can access many public and social information websites without charge and now send email messages free. The Centre is also a BT Open Zone Hotspot for wireless internet connection.: anyone with a laptop within the vicinity of the Centre on Gardner Street can use the Hotspot to access the internet. The Centre is expanding is contacts with the community - with Sussex Police (who use the Centre for confidential surgeries), with young assistant volunteers, with local schools et al. There has been a Saturday class in computer use for older residents; it ends on 21 July 2007 and will resume in September. Contact manager@herstmonceuxvic.org.uk for details and to enrol. The Village Information Centre's own website - www.HerstmonceuxVIC.org.uk - contains more information about the Centre and is a useful portal to websites (like this one!) with information about the local and regional area, social services, et al. For more information about the Centre contact: Ketill (Kit) Game, Manager, Herstmonceux Village Information Centre, 01323 833961/email manager@herstmonceuxvic.org.uk. JUDGES VISIT HERSTMONCEUX FOR THE REGIONAL STAGE OF THE NATIONAL CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2006/2007 COMPETITION April 2007 Having won the 2006/2007 Sussex Village of the Year competition - CLICK HERE for details - Herstmonceux was put forward for the regional and - if successful there - the national CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR competition. CLICK HERE to read Herstmonceux's application. Villages are judged in categories: what is done for younger & older people, what part local businesses play in the life of the village, what environmental activities take place, what is available in information & communications technology and building community life. On Monday 16 April, the South of England regional judges visited Herstmonceux. They were shown around the 40 or more exhibitions which various village/parish activities mounted in the Village Hall (photographs below). When the judges left the Hall, many residents came to see the exhibitions. the judges visit exhibitions the Guides & Brownies stall The judges were then taken to the recreation ground and walked through it to the Primary School, where the pupils had created a model of the village (photograph below). Lastly, they visited the Village Information Centre, to see what it does and to speak to PCSO Liz McDonagh and to the webmasters of various local websites about IT in the village (photograph below). the primary school children's model of Herstmonceux village judges visit the Village Information Centre - the Guide is a Centre assistant  volunteer; the Sussex Police hold surgeries in the Centre Dianne Green, Parish Pump correspondent in the local area newspapers, writes Whatever the outcome - and I feel it should be good - it was an accolade for the village to have been invited to enter [the national competition] in the first place and an indication of how much of a community spirit there is here when so many people turned out to try and 'sell' the village and to visit the exhibition once the judges had gone. ...[D]uring the evening I had one or two telephone calls from people who for some reason or another had not been able to come but they wanted to know how it went, so I think there was more support than any of us could actually imagine. There are other prizes besides "winner" in the regional competition, but if Herstmonceux is the South England regional winner, it will progress to the 5-village national final and be judged again between 4 and 12 July 2007. THE HERSTMONCEUX REGISTER published April 2007 In the survey for the 2005 Herstmonceux Parish Plan,* 78% of the residents who responded said they would like to see a brochure describing local attractions. The Parish Council has now (16 April 2007) published a free hardcopy brochure, titled The Herstmonceux Register. It contains local features, services, activities, businesses, places to visit, where to eat & drink, where to stay and how to find out about local events and information. The Herstmonceux Register will be useful for both residents and visitors, and it complements other sources of local information.   If you spot any error in The Herstmonceux Register, contact the Herstmonceux Parish Council webmaster. He will organise a corrections list and ensure that the entry in www.herstmonceuxparish.org.uk is correct.   If your local group, service or business isn't in The Herstmonceux Register, contact the Herstmonceux Parish Council webmaster, who will add it to the relevant Parish Council webpage.   *The Herstmonceux Parish Plan was adopted unanimously by the Parish Council on 17 January 2005. It was circulated to every household in the Parish. The Parish Council has committed itself to implementing the Parish Plan's many recommendations. The Herstmonceux Register stems from one of these recommendations. HERSTMONCEUX WINS THE 2006/2007 SUSSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION "The enthusiasm of local people for their community was intoxicating…." (competition judges)             Parish Council Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Parish Clerk Herstmonceux has won the Sussex Village of the Year 2006/2007 competition and a prize of £500 for the Parish Council to spend on community projects. Herstmonceux will now compete with villages across the UK in the national Calor Village of the Year competition for England. The winner will be announced next month. Herstmonceux was also winner of the Sussex Building Community Life Competition 2006/2007. The judges considered the community "a shining example of what can be achieved when everyone is working together to improve facilities and services". Herstmonceux impressed them with "the amount and scope of community activities" for all ages, the new facilities and the ability to involve all sections of the community. Judges "gained a clear impression… that everyone looks after each other". The judges said that they were "particularly impressed with the range of activities for children and young people from the preschool to after school activities to youth activities and clubs. The youth cricket club is worthy of special mention. There was the same range of activities for older people and some excellent endorsements for the local volunteers and clubs by their users." Judges also noted that "It was clear… that the networking within the village is excellent and that a range of local groups and the parish council are demonstrating local leadership and seeking improvements constantly. The enthusiasm of local people for their community was intoxicating. /contd next column "Herstmonceux Village Hall is an excellent facility that is being put to full use. "The Village Information Centre is an excellent example of what a local community can do for its local residents and how this can be integrated with other programmes including work with young people and welcoming people into the community and developing new volunteers." Cllr Dr Dorothy Goldman JP, who prepared and wrote Herstmonceux's application, said "Herstmonceux owes its thanks to all those who initiate, organise and participate in its many activities. Thanks are particularly due to those who came out to meet the competition judges, whom they so impressed." Fairlight, Hassocks and Forest Row each won awards as runners-up and £150 to spend on local community projects. Herstmonceux was runner-up in 2005. The Sussex Village of the Year Competition is run by Action in rural Sussex (AirS) for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Winners of the competition have to demonstrate how villages have worked together to improve local facilities and services. Chair of the judging panel and AirS trustee Shirley James explained: “In its early days, the Village of the Year competition was all about how the community looked – now our aim is to reward the villages who are best at working together as communities to boost local quality of life. This year’s winners are shining examples of how much can be achieved. We hope their success will inspire others – and encourage more communities to enter in future years”.
ALLOTMENTS Herstmonceux Parish Council has been approached by a number of residents who are interested in renting an allotment in the parish. The Parish Council does not own any land and is looking for approximately an acre of land to buy or rent for allotments. Anyone with land available should contact me on 01323 833312 or at hxparishclerk@tiscali.co.uk or at Herstmonceux Village Hall, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux, East Sussex BN27 4JX. Any other residents who are interested renting an allotment should contact me, details above. Janet McInnes, Herstmonceux Parish Council Clerk 27 July 2006 EMERGENCY PLAN In the event of a major incident in the parish, the Emergency Services of East Sussex will undertake their traditional roles and responses. Individuals also have a responsibility to ensure their homes and families are safeguarded to the best of their ability. However, the Parish Council recognises that it is in a position to prepare information and encourage a community response to assist and support the emergency services and individuals. An Emergency Plan has been formulated for the parish with a list of volunteers and resources; copies of the plan have been circulated to all councillors and are available from the Parish Clerk. Please contact the clerk if you have any information on vulnerable sites/people or you wish to join the list of volunteers. Your services would only be required in the event of a major incident. . DOG FOULING ON THE RECREATION GROUND The Groundsman has reported that dog owners using the Recreation Ground for exercising their dogs are not clearing tip the dog mess and placing it in the bins provided. If you walk your dog on the Recreation Ground please ensure that you clear up after your dog, as the mess is unpleasant for other Recreation Ground users and a health hazard. RECREATION GROUND BYELAWS The Secretary of State has approved eleven new byelaws recently proposed  by the Parish Council in respect of the Recreation Ground, Hailsham Road. They come into effect on 7 February 2004. The following is a simple summary of the new byelaws. 1 No-one shall without reasonable excuse climb on, remove from or displace within the ground: (a) any barrier, post, railing, seat, or implement, or any part of a structure or ornament provided for use in the laying out or maintenance of the ground; or (b) any stone, soil or turf or the whole or any part of any plant, shrub or tree. 2 No-one shall light a fire or place, throw or drop a lighted match or any other thing likely to cause a fire. (This shall not apply to any event at which the Council has given permission that fires may be lit.) 3 No-one shall without reasonable excuse ride a cycle in the ground, except in any part of the ground where there is a right of way for cycles. 4 No-one aged 12 years or over shall enter or remain in an area designated as a children's play area unless bona fide in charge of a child under the age of 12 years. 5 No-one aged 12 years or over shall use any apparatus stated to be for the exclusive use of persons under the age of 12 years by a notice conspicuously displayed on or near the apparatus. 6 No-one shall skate, slide or ride on rollers, skateboards or other self-propelled vehicles except in a designated area for such activities. 7 No-one shall:(a) obstruct any officer of the Council in the proper execution of his duties; (b) obstruct any person carrying out an act which is necessary to the proper execution of any contract with the Council; or (c) obstruct any other person in the proper use of the ground. 8 It shall not be an offence under these byelaws for an officer of the Council or any person acting in accordance with a contract with the Council to do anything necessary to the proper execution of his duty. 9 Nothing done in or under these byelaws shall in any respect prejudice or injuriously affect any public right of way through the ground, or the rights of any person acting iawfuiiy by virtue of some estate, right or interest in, over or affecting the ground or any part the ground. 10 Any person offending against any of these byelaws may be removed from the ground by an officer of the Council or a constable. 11 Any person offending against any of these byelaws shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (£500 in 2003). A full version of these byelaws is available at the office of the Council at Herstmonceux Village Hall where they can be inspected without payment; copies can be supplied at a fee of 50 pence. Please contact the Clerk for details.
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local weather
today's weather BBC weather news for Herstmonceux live Eastbourne weather - temperature, wind, sun Eastbourne live beach cam   local weather forecast BBC 5-day forecast for Herstmonceux Yahoo's Herstmonceux weather forecast	Herstmonceux weather summary RAINFALL, TEMPERATURE AND SNOW The Herstmonceux rainfall in February totalled 32mm (1¼"), a little over half the long-term average, while March was a wet month with 102mm (exactly 4"), nearly double what we would expect.      The temperature for February was slightly higher than normal for the month, but March was the opposite being a little cooler than average.     On Sunday 6 April, the April showers turned into a snowstorm when the snow on the roof of my car had a depth of nearly 90mm (3½").   When melted gave about 10mm (nearly ½" of water). Frank Beeney 12 April 2008
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